El-Rufai’s counsel reacts, alleges attempted unlawful arrest at Abuja airport

Lawyer to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a statement condemning what it described as the unlawful attempted arrest of its client by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a release titled “Statement on the Unlawful Attempted Arrest of Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai,” the Ubong Akpan chambers, acting as counsel to El-Rufai, said the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when he arrived in Abuja.

The legal team alleged that operatives attempted to unlawfully arrest El-Rufai shortly after he landed aboard EgyptAir flight MS 877 from Cairo, describing the move as a violation of his constitutional rights.

“This action constitutes a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law,” Akpan said.

The chambers disclosed that an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was abroad, describing it as “inherently illogical and impractical to demand immediate attendance.”

“In response, we formally communicated with the EFCC on his behalf since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return,” the statement noted.

The legal counsel said he had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring that El-Rufai would “voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026,” but alleged that security operatives from the Department of State Services attempted to arrest him despite that notice.

“Upon his arrival, security operatives from the Department of State Services moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation,” Akpan said.

“When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation — a basic entitlement of any citizen facing state action — none could be produced.

Also Read

• Just in: Vitor Pereira agrees to become Nottingham Forest coach
• Alleged N109bn fraud: Ex-AGF denies engaging Paul Erokoro as counsel
• Oyebanji lauds Tinubu’s reforms, receives Leadership Governor of the Year award 
• El-Rufai’s counsel reacts, alleges attempted unlawful arrest at Abuja airport
• Remembering Biodun Jeyifo and my NYSC days, by Max Amuchie

“No document, no signed directive, no lawful process. There was only raw power, unclothed by law.”

El-Rufai’s lawyer further alleged that operatives “physically snatched his international passport from his person,” describing it as “nothing short of stealing — the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority.”

The chambers claimed that “ordinary Nigerians present at the airport, incensed by this open display of oppression, surrounded the scene and insisted loudly that he could only be arrested upon a legitimate process.”

Citing Sections 35, 36, 34, 41, 44 and 46 of the Constitution, Akpan said: “No government agency possesses unfettered authority to detain citizens without due process.”

The legal practitioner described the development as “a direct regression into anti-democracy, eroding the hard-won gains of civilian governance.”

The chambers therefore demanded “the immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain Malam El-Rufai, the immediate return of his stolen passport, and a formal apology.”

“Legal action will be pursued against all persons and agencies responsible for this unconstitutional conduct,” Akpan added.

Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp

[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']